Local Football Facility Plan Rotherham

Rotherham is in the Yorkshire and The Humber region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 263,375. This is expected to rise to 276,697 by 2039.

40.0% of the Rotherham population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups). This is substantially above the national average (30.6%)

Rotherham’s ethnic composition is primarily classed as White (93.6%) which is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Rotherham’s population represented by the BAME community is 6.4% under half the national average of 14.6%.

Local Authority

The present strategic aims for sport and physical activity in the Authority are set out in Active Rotherham - A strategy for Sport and Physical Activity in Rotherham 2010 to 2020.

The purpose of the strategy is to provide a strategic framework for all partners working in sport and physical activity in the Borough. Its vision states that Rotherham ‘will be a place where people feel good, are healthy and active’. Its supplementary aims including enabling people to express themselves and have opportunities to be involved in a wide range of high quality cultural, social and sporting activities.

There is no playing pitch strategy (PPS) in place; the Council is, however, committed to undertaking a study in the near future.

County Football Association

Rotherham is covered by Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA. It provides governance and development support to all aspects of local football including coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs and leagues; supporting football for all. The County FA has a designated facilities investment lead officer who works to ensure the right facilities are located in the right locations.

Football Foundation

The Regional Engagement Manager and Regional Technical Project Manager at the Football Foundation work collaboratively with the County FA to provide pre-application support to priority projects for potential investment.

Sport England

Has a network of planning managers who have a statutory role in the planning system to protect playing fields and provide consultation responses to planning applications relating to sporting facilities . They also play a key role in strategic planning for sports facilities, providing advice and support to local authorities to assess need for facilities in their local area.

Professional Club Community Organisations (CCOs)

These continue to expand and enhance their range of community delivery, offering a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Rotherham Utd Community Sports Trust (RUCST) runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

Places for People is the key leisure operator in Rotherham. It currently runs four key indoor leisure centre sites (Maltby, Rotherham Leisure Complex, Wath, Aston)

Local consultation

This has taken place with the following community groups in Rotherham. A total of 12 individuals (representing 15 local organisations) were consulted. These include:

• Rotherham Indoor Football Centre
• The Chislett Centre
• Junior Millers JFC
• Wickersley Youth JFC

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Rotherham has a total of 467 teams; this is comparable to local areas of a similar size.

The FA is investing to support clubs both on and off the pitch which includes an aim to have a qualified FA coach with every youth team by 2020/21. In addition, it will support 1,000 clubs to create full player pathways from youth to adult teams and develop 150 community football hubs with male and female pathways, disability and recreational playing opportunities.

Over the last 10-years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Rotherham, 16 clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

• AnstonRangers – 16 teams
• Aston Swallownest Juniors – 18 teams
• Brinsworth Whitehill JFC – 24 teams
• DinningtonTown – 18 teams
• Greasbrough Youth – 20 teams
• KivetonPark – 19 teams
• MillmoorJuniors – 24 teams
• Rawmarsh St Josephs – 17 teams
• Treeton Terriers – 17 teams
• Wickersley Youth – 33 teams

Leagues

One league operates in Rotherham. It offers competitive opportunities for adult male players. While there are no specific league opportunities for juniors, women and girls or disability football operating in Rotherham, suitable provision is made across the broader County. Rotherham‘s largest local league (2017-18) is the Rotherham & District Sunday Football League in which 54 teams play on a home and away basis.

The County FA reports that there is significant cross boundary migration into and out of Rotherham. That which occurs relates primarily to teams migrating out of the area to play the Sheffield & District Junior Sunday League - however it is noted that a significant number of Rotherham based teams play across the region in additional leagues including the Mexborough and District Sunday League, the County Senior League and the Wragg’s over 35 and over over 45 leagues.

Disability football

There are 9.4million people in England with a long-standing limiting disability, illness or condition which equates to 18% of the population – almost one in five. Football playing opportunities should be flexible, inclusive and accessible for everyone, whatever their level of ability. This could entail inclusion in mainstream activity or teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability.

The nearest provision for disability football is In Sheffield where two clubs run six teams alongside other sessions specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to grow this provision . For talented players the FA run Regional Centres and England national squads.

Women and girls

The FA has big ambitions for the female game and aims to double levels of participation by 2020. To achieve this requires a combined effort across four pathways: education, recreation, competition and talent.

Education environments have a huge impact on the first experience of football for young girls. This pathway can offer many opportunities for females of all ages to develop and grow a lifelong interest in football.

FA Wildcats girls football centres provide the first step on the recreational pathway, the programme provides girls aged 5-11 with regular opportunities to play football in a fun and engaging environment. Rotherham has two FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 33, Rotherham’s number of female teams is higher than local areas of a similar size. The County FA priority is to support existing clubs to grow and encourage more clubs to develop playing opportunities for females. The local girls league is the Sheffield & Hallamshire Girls & Women’s County League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Sheffield & Hallamshire Girls & Women’s County League; it also organises matches on a home and away basis. It too is expected to grow provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Sheffield United (located in Sheffield) and Doncaster Rovers Belles (located in Doncaster). Higher level talent pathway opportunities are also provided regionally and nationally by the FA, culminating in the England Women’s national squads. The most local Women’s Super League teams are Sheffield United Women and Doncaster Rovers Belles. These both provide player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players alongside spectator interest for fans.

Small-sided football

Many different types of small-sided football are played in England, from teams and leagues to recreational and informal. It is an established and important part of the modern game.

Small-sidedteams & leagues are organised and competitive activities; typically with players registered to clubs and affiliated to leagues and their County FAs. Examples include Futsal and local small-sided leagues running at venues such as sports halls, 3G FTPs or small-sided 3G centres.

Key local providers include

• Rotherham Football Centre (non-affiliated)
• Champion/PP – Thomas Rotherham College- 29 teams
• Champion/PP – Dearne Valley College – 24 teams
• Champion/PP – KivetonPark – 20 teams

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced, small sided team game that is widely played across the world. Typically it’s played on an indoor surface with hockey-sized goals and a size 4 football with reduced ball bounce. It is the FA’s aim to ensure Futsal is available across the country.

There are currently no futsal teams in Rotherham. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for male youth players .

Recreational Football

Recreational Football is played where facilities are typically booked and there might be someone to help organise. Examples include FA Just Play sessions, walking football and casual pitch hire for small-sided match play.

There is currently one FA Just Play Centre in Rotherham. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisations including Rotherham United Community Sports Trust. Walking football and Just Play are initiatives that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include Man V Fat which is delivered by a range of organisations including RUCST.

Informal Football

Informal Football is played in local parks and green spaces – it is free, open access and often played spontaneously (normal clothing is worn). Common examples include a kick-about at a local park or on a multi-use games area (MUGA).

Currently, informal football in Rotherham is commonplace across the Borough where MUGAs and goalposts are located. Fernham , Maltby, Greasbrough, Swinton, North Anston and Herringthorpe Valley are among the key site locations which are reportedly heavily used.

The key strengths of local football in Rotherham include youth male and mini-soccer provision and it is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include Wildcats, recreational football, adult male football.

It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Rotherham are:

1. Adult male
2. Wildcats
3. Mini-soccer female
4. Recreational football
5. Mini-soccer male

The facilities required to assist this are now set out in the Assets and Opportunities section.

Additionally, each priority project that progresses to a funding application via the Football Foundation will produce a detailed ‘site development plan’ specifying all football development activity, usage and key partner engagement. .

This section reviews existing football facility assets in Rotherham. It identifies current issues and presents opportunities for improvements, including a list of priority projects for potential investment.

Local assets and opportunities have been reviewed inline with four investment priorities:

1. 3G FTPs
2. Improved grass pitches
3. Changing room pavilions / clubhouses
4. Small-sided facilities

To ensure a consistent and high quality approach, each local area has been reviewed applying a standard approach, supplemented by input from consultation with local partners and stakeholder organisations.

While each investment priority is reviewed individually, it is understood that they can be inter-reliant; account is, thus, taken of these potential connections.

3G FTPs are a high quality and indispensable part of modern football facilities; their impact cannot be underestimated. In recent years the industry has seen major innovations and improvements to artificial surfaces (and sports lighting). This has created playing surfaces that replicate a good standard natural turf pitch whilst significantly increasing levels of use (x20). All FTPs must have sports lighting to achieve this.

The high quality, consistent playing surface is the ideal environment to play the game and for young people to learn. With regular maintenance programmes, FTPs can be heavily used all year round with no decline in quality. They almost completely negate annoying fixture cancellations during winter months, helping football to be a key part of a regular physical activity habit.

High capacity levels offer a great opportunity to embrace all formats and engage all participants. A full-sized 3G caters for an average of 1,200 participants per week and is suitable for various location types. That means being fully inclusive to all sections of the community, with a particular focus on under-represented groups such as women and girls, people with a disability, BAME communities and people from lower socio-economic groups.

The way 3G FTPs are used is rapidly changing; current line-marking systems allow for match play across all formats of football (5v5, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11). This enables significant levels of match-play to be transferred from grass to 3G.

The national ‘Mini Pitch’ programme delivers small 3G FTPs at primary school sites to provide a high quality introduction to football and get children more physically active. While mini pitches are reviewed in this section, they are not included in the demand and supply analysis for 3G FTPs.

FA data states that there are currently six 3G FTPs in Rotherham including two 60 x 40 m FTP’s ; this is a shortfall of eight pitches relative to assessed demand.

Existing 3G FTPs in Rotherham are:

• Dearne Valley College
• Wath Comprehensive (90 x 55m)
• Thomas Rotherham College
• Maltby Academy
• Winterhill School (60 x 40m)
• Wickersley Academy (60 x 40m)

There are also currently three small-sided 3G FTP centres in Rotherham:

• Rotherham Indoor Football Centre
• Parkgate Astro
• Kiveton Park

Each of the full size 3G FTPs is available for community use. Three are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). Wath Comprehensive is not on the register and should therefore be registered.

The geographic spread of existing facilities is fairly even. There are, however, facilities/provision gaps in the north west and south of the Borough which are areas which have high levels of deprivation; it is recommended that these are addressed.

Local consultation reveals common issues with the low availability of, and lack of opportunity for match play on, 3G and it is recommended that these are addressed.

Eight priority projects for potential investment have been identified, comprising eight new full size FTP's in total (a double FTP is proposed at Herringthorpe Playing Fields) and resurface of the existing 3G FTP at Thomas Rotherham College.. Undersupply was calculated using the FA 3G FTP demand and supply model. Each site was selected by local partners based on a rationale of good access, high population, geographic spread, success and quality of existing facilities, high levels of deprivation, high levels of lower social economic groups :

NB it should be noted that whilst two options are presented in the North of the Borough at Milmoor Juniors (option a) and Chislett Centre (option b), only one should be taken forward due to their close proximity geographically.

1- Herringthorpe Playing Fields– new double floodlit 11 v 11 FTP

• Existing football facilities – 4 x grass pitches
• Current users – several affiliated Sunday league teams.
• Rationale – this is a site to which there is potential to relocate significant adult junior team training & match-play demand. There
  is an opportunity to create central /hub venue to facilitate participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women and girls
  football, recreational football and disability football.

2- Dinnington Town FC (Phoenix Park) – new floodlit 11 v 11 FTP

• Existing football facilities – Grass pitches x 5
• Current users –Dinnington Town JFC (17 teams)
• Rationale – Site with potential to cater for significant junior team training & match-play demand (Dinnington Town JFC) . Also
  adjacent to Dinnington High School and primary school. Potential participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women
  and girls football, recreational football, disability football.

3- DVC Sports (Dearne Valley College) – additional floodlit 11 v 11 FTP

• Existing football facilities – 1 x full size floodlit 11 V 11 FTP, 3 x 7 v 7 FTP
• Current users – Manvers JFC, West Melton WMC
• Rationale – Site with potential to cater for cross border demand from Doncaster (shortfall of FTPs in West Doncaster but lack of
  suitable sites). It could accommodate junior team training & match-play from, for example, Swinton Athletic Spartans (11 teams)
  and Brampton Utd JFC (10 teams). It offers participation growth potential for: junior football, senior football, women and girls
  football, recreational and disability football.

4- North Rotherham option A - Milmoor Juniors (Grange Park) – new floodlit 11 v 11 FTP

• Existing football facilities – 5 x grass pitches
• Current users –MilmoorJuniors (24 affiliated teams)
• Rationale – Site with potential to accomodatesignificant junior team training & matchplay demand . Potential participationgrowth
  in: junior football, senior football, women and girls football, recreational football, disability football.

5- North Rotherham option B - Kimberworth Park Community Centre (Chislett Centre) – new floodlit 11 v 11 FTP

• Existing football facilities – 2 x grass pitches on site of Redscope Primary School.
• Current users – informal / recreational football sessions
• Rationale – Site with potential to relocate significant junior team training & match-play demand (e.g. Greasbrough Youth 19 teams).
  Potential participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women and girls football, recreational
  football, disability football.

6- Aston Academy–new floodlit 11 v 11 FTP

• Existing football facilities – 4 x grass pitches
• Current users – Aston / Swallownest Juniors
• Rationale – this secondary school site has the potential to cater for junior match play and training demand e.g Aston &
  Swallownest JFC (18 teams). This could be aligned to Places for People taking on the management of the FTP (currently it runs the
  indoor facilities on the site). It could help drive participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women and girls football,
  and in recreational and disability football.

7- Brinsworth Academy - new floodlit 11 v 11 FTP

• Existing football facilities – 4 x grass pitches
• Current users – Curricular use
• Rationale - this secondary school site has the potential to cater for junior match play and training demand e.g Brinsworth
  Whitehill JFC (17 teams) and drive participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women and girls football, among the
  and in recreational and disability football.

11 -Rawmarsh Community School – new floodlit 11 v 11 FTP

• Existing football facilities – 4 x grass pitches
• Current users – Monkwood FC
• Rationale – this secondary school site has the potential to cater for junior match play and training demand e.g Rawmarsh St
  Josephs JFC (16 teams) as well as driving participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women and girls football,
  participation, recreational and disability football.

20 - Thomas Rotherham College - resurface of existing 11 v 11 FTP

• Existing football facilities – 11 v 11 floodlit FTP
• Current users – Whiston Wilcats (14 teams), Rotherham Town J.F.C (8 teams), Wickersley Wanderers (1 team) and Treeton Terriers (16 teams)
• Rationale – Current facility is nearing the end of its useful lifespan having been installed in 2002 and last refurbished in 2010. Site has potential for driving participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women and girls football, over 50s
  participation, recreational and disability football.

Playing fields are one of the most important resources for sport in England. All football players should have the opportunity to play on good quality grass pitches. However, FA data shows that 63% of pitches in England are poor / low standard and 1 in 6 games are cancelled. As such, poor pitch quality is consistently cited as the number one issue for players.

The priority is, therefore, to sustainably improve grass pitch quality across all main pitch owners (local authorities, education establishments and clubs). However, the level of maintenance required to obtain good quality standards is regularly affected by restricted budgets and limited knowledge/ training. Compaction and grass coverage are two key causes of poor quality pitches. Both are commonly treated via a maintenance driven solution (and do not necessarily require costly drainage schemes).

Playing fields are also a valuable resources for informal play and open-access sites are encouraged but, for many, problems such as dog fouling and vandalism mean that they need to be protected with mitigation measures such as fencing.

In many local areas the key challenge is to create a sustainable approach to provide good quality football pitches for the long-term. Many local authorities (78%) intend to increase pitch hire fees in the future. However, many players (63%) believe facilities are already expensive and some (16%) believe prices are prohibitive. A sustainable solution should, therefore, carefully balance pitch quality and affordability.

While the education sector (37%) and local authorities (32%) are still the principal asset owners of grass pitches, clubs / leagues own or maintain an increasing share (currently 25%). Assets and opportunities have been considered across each sector.

Although large (3+ pitch) strategic sites are important and make up much of the project list within the LFFPs, this does not mean that other club, league and community/voluntary sites are not important or eligible for funding. These sites are key to the Football Foundation's Grass Pitch Programme to deliver 20,000 good quality pitches.

For more information click here.

PitchPower

The PitchPower app is the gateway to any grass pitch improvement funding. It is the tool that will allow clubs and organisations to complete pitch inspections and access funds.

If you haven't signed up and completed a PitchPower pitch inspection, you will need to do this before you can apply for the Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund.

Learn more by clicking here.

There are currently 28 grass pitch sites in Rotherham with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 100 grass pitches.

Local consultation shows that the stock, in general, faces common issues in respect of the poor quality and low availability of pitches. It is recommended that these barriers to football development are addressed.

Eight priority projects for potential investment have been identified . Due to the significant number of grass pitch sites in the Authority not all sites have been prioritised. The eight included in the Plan, which have been endorsed by local partners, contain 23 full-size pitch equivalents. Not all sites have three or more pitches, the steering group has included some smaller sized sites due to their strategic significance. Prioritisation was made according to a rationale linked to selecting sites in the poorest condition and with a strategic focus to improve local authority and club pitches.

1- Herringthorpe Playing Fields - works to poor quality natural grass pitches

• Existing football facilities – 4 x grass pitches
• Current users – FC Angel, Herringthorpe Park Hotel.
• Rationale – Potential re-establishment as grass pitch hub to drive participation growth in: junior, senior and women and girls
  football and among people from lower socio-economic groups.

8 - Barkers Park - works to poor quality natural grass pitches

• Existing football facilities – 4 x grass pitches
• Current users – Valley JFC, Plough (Greasborough)
• Rationale – Site has undergone a PIP which highlights areas for pitch quality improvement. Potential participation growth in:
  junior football, senior football, women and girls football and among people from lower socio-economic groups.

9 - Swinton Miners Welfare - works to poor quality natural grass pitches

• Existing football facilities – 2 x grass pitches
• Current users – 12 affiliated teams, Swinton Athletic Spartans
• Rationale – Poor quality pitches confirmed during steering group consultation. Potential participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women and girls football and among people from lower socio-
  economic groups.

10 - Bill Hawes Rec - works to poor quality natural grass pitches

• Existing football facilities – 3 x grass pitches
• Current users – AFC Wickersley
• Rationale – this site offers potential benefit to Wickersley Youth (32 affiliated teams) and could drive participation growth in: junior,
  senior and women and girls football plus among people from lower socio-economic groups.

12- Greasborough Youth (Roughwood Rd Rec) - works to poor quality natural grass pitches

• Existing football facilities – 1 grass pitch
• Current users – Greasborough Youth (17 affiliated teams)
• Rationale – this site is under long term lease to Greasbrough Youth JFC. Investment here would yield participation growth in:
  junior and women and girls football plus and among people from lower socio-economic groups.

13- Brampton Leisure - works to poor quality natural grass pitches

• Existing football facilities – 3 x grass pitches
• Current users – Brampton Utd JFC (10 teams)
• Rationale – this project would drive participation growth in: junior and women and girls football plus among people from lower
  socio-economic groups.

14- Wales High School - works to poor quality natural grass pitches

• Existing football facilities – 4 x grass pitches
• Current users – 14 affiliated teams (KivetonPark JFC). It is also a potential site for Anston Rangers (15 teams).
• Rationale – the poor quality of the existing pitches was confirmed via a club survey. Investment here would drive participation
  growth in junior, senior and women and girls football plus among people from lower socio-economic groups.

15- Thurcroft Hub – creation of a new natural grass pitch

• Existing football facilities – 2 x grass pitches
• Current users – Bramley (U8 girls & boys), Dinnington Ladies (Sunday), WickersleyJuniors, Thurcroft MI
• Rationale – Thurcroft Hub’s current site is at capacity with the opportunity to reinstate adjacent vacant land as grass football pitch
  provision (minimum one full size) . Investment here would drive participation growth in junior, senior and women and girls
  football plus among people from lower socio-economic groups.

These can provide a number of different benefits. While the primary function is normally the provision of changing rooms to accommodate match-play and training (for players and officials), there can be equal value in facilities such as community and education rooms, catering facilities and spectator toilets.

Each project will take a progressive approach to pavilions and clubhouses (beyond the provision of changing rooms) and be open to new opportunities to engage the whole community. That means, creating environments that are welcoming to players, spectators, volunteers, officials and all sections of the community.

Such assets should support other investment priorities (e.g. 3G FTPs and grass pitches) and be located at sites that will have the greatest impact on local communities. To ensure this, focus is given to sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents. However, as pitch quality is the number one priority for players this is prioritised before investment in changing room pavilions /clubhouses.

Clearly, facilities need to be well managed and maintained to keep them in a good state of repair. Consideration will be given to reviewing the best operator solution for key sites and the installation of revenue generating features such as catering facilities and community rooms. To achieve this, business plan support will be given to each priority project as it progresses to an application to the Football Foundation.

Of the 28 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents in Rotherham, 23 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses, none have existing facilities that need improvement/ replacement and five have no facilities and require a new changing pavilion. In addition one project Greasborough Youth (Roughwood Rec) of less than three pitches was identified due to its strategic importance for football.

Six priority projects for potential investment have therefore been identified. Each project (with the exception of Roughwood Rec) has three or more full-size pitch equivalents and has either no facilities or was assessed against a standard criteria to have an unsuitable pavilion:

1- Herringthorpe Playing Fields – New build pavilion

• Existing football facilities – 4 x grass pitches
• Current users – FC Angel, Herringthorpe Park Hotel.
• Rationale – to re-establish it as a key grass pitch and 3G hub facility driving participation growth in: junior, senior and women and
  girls football and people from lower socio-economic groups.

10 - Bill Hawes Rec - new build pavilion

• Existing football facilities – 3 x grass pitches
• Current users – AFC Wickersley
• Rationale – Improved facilities will offer potential benefit to Wickersley Youth (32 affiliated teams) participation growth in: junior
  football, senior football, women and girls football plus among people from lower socio-economic groups.

12- Greasborough Youth (Roughwood Rd rec) – new build pavilion

• Existing football facilities – 2 x grass pitches
• Current users – Greasborough Youth (17 affiliated teams)
• Rationale – a site identified as a priority by the steering group , it will drive participation growth in junior, senior, women and girls football plus among
  people from lower socio-economic groups

13 - Brampton Leisure– new build pavilion

• Existing football facilities – 3 x grass pitches
• Current users – Brampton Utd JFC (10 affiliated teams.)
• Rationale – a site identified as a priority by the steering group, itwill drive participation growth in: junior, senior, women and girls football plus
  among people from lower socio-economic groups

16 - Silverwood Miners Welfare– new build pavilion

• Existing football facilities – 4 x grass pitches
• Current users – Four affiliated teams.
• Rationale –. This is a CFA identified priority site, having engaged in pre-application discussion and will drive participation growth in: junior, senior and women and girls football
  plus among people from lower socio-economic groups.

19 - Kiveton Community Sports Park– new build pavilion

• Existing football facilities – 9 v 9 FTP
• Current users – Small sided and recreational bookings.
• Rationale –. This is a CFA identified priority site having engaged in pre-application discussion, and will drive participation growth in: junior, senior and women and girls football
  plus among people from lower socio-economic groups.

Good facilities are important to all small-sided football players, but it is important to understand the different formats of the small-sided game and the various facility types they relate to.

Research suggests that small-sided players in teams & leagues, and in recreational sessions, prefer a 3G surface type because it replicates a good standard natural turf pitch. These facilities have already been covered in the 3G FTP section of this LFFP.

Indoor environments currently accommodate 20% of football participation and are also popular with players in teams & leagues and recreational sessions . Indoor sports halls are most popular, along with some community halls and indoor 3G centres. Environments need to be engaging, have clear line-marking and the correct size goalposts.

Informal players require facilities that are open and free to access as this enables play opportunities that are often spontaneous. In these circumstances multi-use games areas (MUGAs) can be effective in areas of high urban population and limited green space. Such facilities can be modern, bright, creative and engaging. While this plan will identify suitable locations for such facilities, the design and specifics of the facility type can be agreed at a later stage with Football Foundation staff when projects are ready to progress to pre-application stage.

Parks and open green spaces are also important to informal play and require goalposts and zones that are free from litter and dog fouling.

Rotherham football centre in Eastwood is the only dedicated indoor football venue in the town. It is a privately operated former industrial building containing a 90 x 40m 3G surface sub-divided into small sided courts. It caters for significant informal and recreational demand and its programme includes walking football in a particularly deprived area of the town with a high proportion of BAME participants.

At this stage no additional indoor facilities are put forward for improvement to develop small-sided football.

Three potential opportunities for MUGAs have been identified. In each case the key rationale relates to the site being in an area of high urban population , limited green space , high levels of deprivation, with a high proportion of people from lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football:

1- Herringthorpe Playing Fields – new build small sided football opportunity

• Existing football facilities – 4 x grass pitches.
• Current users – FC Angel, Herringthorpe Park Hotel.
• Rationale – this is a large grass playing field with opportunity to consider how a distinct small sided informal football offer can be
  introduced alongside linked potential new 3G FTP . It will drive/support participation growth in informal/recreational football and
  cater for people in the locality from lower socio-economic groups.

17 - Greasborough Recreation Ground– new build small sided football opportunity

• Existing football facilities – grassed neighbourhood park.
• Current users – n/a
• Rationale – this is a grassed park with opportunity to install a MUGA type small sided football facility. It will drive/support
  participation growth in informal/recreational football and cater for people in the locality from lower socio-economic groups.

18 - Rotherham Town Centre– new build small-sided football opportunity

• Existing football facilities – n/a
• Current users – n/a
• Rationale – RUCST have identified an opportunity to make use of redundant urban space in the vicinity of the New York Stadium
  for the purpose of small sided / recreational football. It will drive/support participation growth in informal/recreational football and
  cater for people in the locality from lower socio-economic groups

At this stage there are no sites on parks or open green spaces put forward for improvement to develop small-sided football.

• Chief Operating Officer – Rotherham Utd FC
• Head of Community – Rotherham United Community Sports Trust
• Health & Activity lead – Rotherham College
• Sport & Leisure Manager - Rotherham Council
• Assistant Planning Officer – Rotherham Council
• Leisure & Green Spaces Manager – Rotherham Council
• Contracts Sports & Development Manager – Places for People Leisure
• Head of Operations – Coalfields Regeneration Trust
• Director of Development - Yorkshire Sport Foundation
• Manager – Rotherham Indoor Football Centre
• Secretary -Rotherham Sunday Football League
• Secretary – Wragg Over 35’s Football League
• Street games area director – Yorkshire & Humber
• Chairman – Millmoor Juniors FC • Representative – Wickersley Youth FC